AI as a Digital Sales Agent: Multimodal Conversational Intelligence and Its Impact on Customer Engagement and Human Sales Performance (PDS Award)

This interdisciplinary PhD project at The University of Manchester explores the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an autonomous digital sales agent, focusing on its impact on customer engagement, sales performance, and the behavior of human sales teams. The research aims to advance understanding at the intersection of marketing, management, and computer science by investigating how AI-driven conversational interfaces—both text and voice-based—can detect latent purchase intent and optimize conversion in real time. While AI is commonly used in marketing analytics, its potential as an active, interactive salesperson and its influence on human sales practices and decision-making remain largely unexplored, presenting a unique opportunity for academic and practical innovation. The successful candidate will join the Faculty of Humanities Doctoral Academy and Alliance Manchester Business School, supported by a supervisory team with expertise in marketing and computer science. Training will cover experimental design, computational modeling, multimodal data analysis, and human–AI interaction research, equipping the student with both theoretical foundations and practical skills for careers in academia or technology-driven industries. The team is committed to publishing in world-leading journals, ensuring a high-impact research environment. Applicants should possess strong analytical and quantitative skills, programming experience, and a keen interest in AI, consumer behavior, sales management, and interdisciplinary research. Prior experience in machine learning, data science, or marketing research methods (such as multivariate statistics) is highly desirable. Academic requirements include a First class Bachelor's (Honours) degree or overseas equivalent and a Master's degree in a relevant subject with an overall average of 65% or above. English language proficiency must be demonstrated through IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores, or a recent degree from a majority English-speaking nation. The President’s Doctoral Scholar Award provides full funding for tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate, plus a £1,000 stipend enhancement for four years starting in September 2026. Candidates are responsible for relocation and associated costs, such as visa and health surcharges. The application deadline is March 18, 2026, and interviews are expected to take place in May 2026. To apply, candidates must submit academic transcripts and certificates, an academic CV, a supporting statement (up to 700 words), a writing sample (up to 5,000 words), and nominate two academic referees. A PhD proposal is not required. Applications should be made online for PhD Business and Management, with the project title and supervisor's name entered as instructed. The University of Manchester values equality, diversity, and inclusion, actively encouraging applicants from all backgrounds. For further information or to discuss the project, contact Prof Heiner Evanschitzky at [email protected]. More details are available on the President's Doctoral Scholar Award website.